Of the many significant events occurring in this year which marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962, it is worth noting the Synod on the New Evangelization that Pope Benedict has called to mark the beginning of this coming liturgical year as the “Year of Faith.” While the primary focus of the synod is not Read more
Whether or not MN’s marriage amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman passes in November, the Roman Catholic Church has already lost. Here’s why: The dominant cultural and political paradigm that drives Archbishop John Nienstedt and others to place their religious, political, and cultural authority behind passing this state constitutional amendment is a losing game, both politically and Read more
Isaiah 35:4-7a Psalm 146 James 2:1-5 Mark 7:31-37 Recently, I’ve become quite intrigued with the creative process – with the idea of creativity as an ongoing process that leads in directions that not even the writer or the artist can foresee. In my reading on creativity something that all creative people seem to recognize as foundational to this process is “seeing” or Read more
1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34 Ephesians 4:30-5:2 John 6:41-51 My wife and I recently finished watching the first season of “Smash,” a television drama about the production of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. (My wife loves musical and has a degree in theater.) In the season finale, Karen – the would-be heroine of the story who has been passed over repeatedly Read more
Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:7-13 I have long been fascinated by the complex relationship between human actions and God’s grace. At the heart of the mysterious interaction between God’s grace and human action is a paradox. On the one hand, individuals must make moral choices and act with the full use of free will. On the other hand, experience Read more
Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34 Ezekiel, the Psalmist, and the author of the Gospel of Mark each invoke the image of a large tree as a symbol of the flourishing of God’s presence among the Judeans and among Christians. This tree is a symbol of God’s stability, faithfulness, and perseverance as the One who cares for God’s people, Read more
Two recent articles regarding the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s Doctrinal Assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious have struck me as expressing a particularly important sentiment of support in these times. The first is the recent piece by E.J. Dionne, writing for Commonweal online – Quit the Church? Thanks but no Thanks The second is Jim Wallis’s piece Read more
Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 Ephesians 4:1-13 Mark 16:15-20 “until we all attain…to the extent of the full stature of Christ” (Eph 4:13). Yesterday my wife and I went to see the movie “The Avengers.” In it, a hostile army consisting of demi-gods and alien invaders opens a portal to earth. From this hole comes forth an invading alien army that wreaks havoc Read more
Jeremiah 3131-34 Psalm 51 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33 It is a constant struggle to write about Scripture and morality without coming across as “preachy” or moralistic; and yet at the same time there is a beautiful way to witness to the truth of Revelation through both the mundane and profound choices that one makes day in and day out in the Christian Read more
Lent is my favorite time of the liturgical year! Perhaps it is because of my attraction to contemplative monastic life, and St. Benedict ‘s claim that “the life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent” (RB 49:1). But it also feels to me like a time where we are in tune with not only the liturgical calendar but also the Read more
Saturday Morning: 8:00 am
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:45 am,
12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
Saturday Vigil: 6:15pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 7:15pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 am
